Parents, Thank you for checking the class blog. Please read through this information carefully. There's a lot going on!

• Monday is Orchestra. Remember to bring your instruments.
• I am in need of a volunteer(s) who can cut paper in the work room for an upcoming origami project. Please email me (slc5001@lausd.net) if you have any time to give any day/any time this week before Friday, Thank you!
• Our class will be visiting the book fair Wednesday and Thursday this week. Your child may bring money to buy books. Your child is responsible for his/her money and purchases. The Fair will also be open after school if you would like to assist in buying.
• Study science notes for quiz on 12/13
• We are asking all students to bring in $2 to contribute to the 4th grade winter break party. Please bring in your contribution by Friday 12/9.
• 12/12 Holiday Program. Grade 4 students should wear black skirts or pants and a solid, brightly colored shirt. No words, logos, graphics please. No hats. Thank you! Performance times: 10:45 (TK-2 Families); 1:00 (Grades 3-6 Families). See you there!
• "What Makes Our State Special?" Please see the schedule below. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. As guests, you will play the role of potential tourists. The students have designed and prepared presentations to convince you to visit their California region. Each group will have approximately 5 minutes to present and answer audience members' questions. Please come to the MPR on time as presentations will begin right away.

1.  Friday 12/9 8:30a.m. Time change 9:00:Gayelle, Julissa, Lyric. This presentation will be in room 12.
2. Tuesday, 12/13:  8:30 a.m. Bryan, Gigi, Chloe; Grace, Rowan, Janelle; Kaiden, Aidan, Ewan; Joaquin, Payton, Hope; Eduardo, Tyler, Luke
3. Thursday 12/15 1p.m. Soleil, Orson, Senaiah; Genevieve, Ann Elise, Jonathan; Braeden, Sean Gahbriel; Alex, Milan, Bridget; Meha, Maggie, Colin

• 12/19 - 1/6 Winter Break. School resumes Monday, January 9th.
• Thursday, January 12th - CA. Mission projects due. Use the checklist provided under "Mission Project" in the Class Handouts menu on the right side of this page, to help guide you.
• 1/20 Field trip to Leonis Adobe Museum http://leonisadobemuseum.org/. I can take 3 parent chaperones. If you are willing and able to assist students on this day, please email me at slc5001@lausd.net. Please specify that you are replying to the 1/20 Leonis Adobe trip. Volunteers will be selected on a first come/ first serve basis.
• 2/22 Field trip to JPL. I can take 3 parent chaperones. If you are willing and able to assist students on this day, please email me at slc5001@lausd.net. Please specify that you are responding to the 2/22 JPL trip. Volunteers will be selected on a first come/ first serve basis. JPL requires I submit names of all attendees 6 weeks in advance. If you would like to come, include in your email to me: your full legal name, and whether you are a US citizen or hold a Resident Green Card.  You must bring government issued ID to this trip.
• Finally, it's an exciting time of the year, but the students have been very talkative this past week. This really slows down our day as we wait for everyone's attention, and impedes our progress as learners. This is a good time to talk with your child about your expectations for classroom behavior and how his/her behavior can affect others. Thank you for your support!
  

Donate to Our Class: 
We need-

• Swiffer duster refills. Thank you!

 Also-
 We are in need of printer ink. If you would like to help out, use this link to shop for items for our classroom on Amazon. You can have items sent directly to the school c/o Ms. Convey. Please be sure to include your name, so I can thank you!  Ms. Convey's Class Supplies

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

Learning the standard algorithm for division.

Reading:

 "The Power of Words" continued... Students will be reading, discussing, and analyzing various selections from the Treasures anthology. 

Students created a new Genre Genius template before the break. Ask your child about his/her selections.

Spelling & Vocabulary:
This week's words are:

1. generation
2. genuine
3. generic 
4. generous
5. generate
6. magnate
7. magnificent
8. maximum
9. maximize
10. magnification

Writing:

Scripts and note-cards for "What Makes Our State Special?" project

Arts:

Song rehearsal; Using the Visual Thinking Strategy (VTS) to build meaning from visual text.

Project-Based Learning:
Student teams continue working on our class project. Our driving question is: What makes our state special? Students have received a letter from the California Director of Tourism asking them to research a particular area of California and create a 2 to 3 minute presentation designed to encourage visitors to visit that region. Ask your child about the project and check the blog frequently for presentation dates. This interdisciplinary project addresses standards for research and inquiry, speaking, language arts, visual literacy, social studies, and science.

Lesson Focus: Presentation skills and collaboration; Evaluation


Social Studies/Science:

Social Studies: The Mission System

Earth Science: Earth and Human Activity (Energy and Fuels that humans use are derived from the Earth; Environmental impact of energy extraction and use)

Reminders:

Tardies:

 Please make sure your child is at school and in line by the 8:06 bell. We try to start the school day at 8:11 promptly. Thank you for your help!

Homework:

Please check your child's Homework Log nightly and sign or initial after the work has been completed. Remind your child that completed homework and the HW log are due in class daily.